Doug Rhoads’ officials didn’t always get the calls right. But even when they didn’t, the ACC’s long-time head referee was always up front and honest about it.

And he was always available to give an explanation or clarification … usually with a smile.

Rhoads was the league’s coordinator of football officiating for eight years from 2007-2015. After his retirement, he gained national attention as a rules analyst for game broadcasts on ESPN and NBC Sports.

Friday, the respected and popular former FBI agent died at the age of 71 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

“The entire Atlantic Coast Conference is deeply saddened by the passing of Doug Rhoads,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a statement. “Doug loved the ACC and was a great friend to me and so many others. His positive and upbeat demeanor, and his passion for what he did was contagious and an inspiration to many.”

Rhoads, who graduated from Florida with a degree in journalism, began his officiating career in the ACC in 1977 and spent 29 years on the field as a back judge working nearly 275 games, including 10 bowl games.

During his tenure with as the ACC’s officiating coordinator, he established a variety of high tech systems to respond to coaches and officials, developed a system of evaluations and ratings, oversaw the expansion of the football officiating staff and revolutionized the training process for all officials regarding rules, mechanics and philosophy.

Off the field, Rhoads spent 25 years as an FBI Special Agent before becoming the Deputy Chief of Police of Albemarle County in 1995. He is survived by his wife Denise, children Kaye, Rob and Stephanie, and three grandchildren.